Steve was selected for his work developing the timely afterwilma.info
website which provided unprecedented coverage of recovery efforts
in the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma. Steve has since developed
a presentation: Blogging: Consider the Conversation.

ABOUT THE COLIBRI AWARD

Announcing this year's winner, Planeta.com founder Ron Mader
said, "Ecotourism depends on the leadership of individuals
exemplified by Steve Bridger who are resourceful and innovative
and who are bold enough to bridge the traditional divisions
between tourism and the environment."

Colibri means 'Hummingbird' in Spanish and in 2006 the
Colibri Award celebrates its sixth anniversary, making this
one of the longest-running ecotourism awards. The winner of
the annual award receives a trophy, diploma and a $1,000 cash
award from Emilio Kifuri, president of Canyon
Travel.

"Mexico is one of the world's mega diverse countries with
one of the most successful tourism industries," said Emilio
Kifuri.

"If ecotourism is ever to overtake the senseless destruction
of the world's natural areas, it certainly has to develop at
a much faster pace. We feel fortunate to be in a position to
demonstrate to the tourism industry that ecotourism can be more
profitable than mainstream tourism. It is this potential for
profit that has the greatest ability to cause the most profound
changes."

WINNER

Steve was selected for his work developing the timely afterwilma.info
website which provided unprecedented coverage of recovery efforts
in the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma and the development of sustainable
tourism in the region.

Steve Bridger is the first non-Mexican winner of the Colibri
Award. Based in Bristol,
England, Steve and wife Gicela Morales (born in Tolimán,
Querétaro)
created nfp 2.0
as well as the popular Mexicanwave
website, winner of the 2003 Pluma de Plata given by the Mexican
government.

Steve Bridger is passionate about Mexico and his goal is to
inspire and educate so that more people become aware of the
'real' Mexico.

Steve explains in his blog's about
section:We all saw the scenes of devastation on the
TV news bulletins. We rarely get to see - or read - of the recovery
... It is now a conversation. Word-of-mouth is more powerful
than an expensive TV ad.

Steve coined the concept of a buzz
director for people inside organisations who champion the
use of social media to effect positive change. Steve has earned
a bit of a reputation for not shying away from asking challenging
questions of charities around issues of transparency and sustainability
in the 21st century.

CRITERIA

Planeta.com presents the Colibri
Ecotourism Award to those whose work in Mexico
is exemplary and who share what they learn. Good ideas require
good work to come to completion and good work needs to be documented
so that lessons can be shared.

Nominees participate by helpful edits, connecting using Web
2.0, Planeta Wiki
or contribute editorial suggestions for at least a year. Bonus
points are given to those who participate on other websites
and forums. This is part of Planeta.com's desire to create incentives
for communication,
collaboration
and continuity,
all vital elements in the development of responsible
travel and ecotourism.

TESTIMONIALS

Steve's website is a practical tool for people to know what
is really happening.
- Kenneth Johnson, EcoColors

Steve and Gicela, I'm so proud of you for achieving this recognition.
It is a very important achievement and great acknowledgment
for the hard work and dedication your company has put forth
in showing the authentic Mexico while preserving the natural
environment and traditions. Congratulations!
- Manuel Diaz-Cebrian, Director, Mexico
Tourism Board, United Kingdom, Ireland and Scandinavia

Afterwilma.info is clearly very much appreciated and a great
source of news and information. A beacon for the immediacy and
power of the web when used well.
- Peter Hutchison, Author Footprint
Guide to Mexico and Central America

Steve's work as a journalist shows his commitment to sustainable
tourism and Mexico. Congratulations!
- Jennifer Morfin, Colibri
Winner 2005

Afterwilma gives us reliable information about Cancun and the
Riviera Maya. It's not sensationalistic (noticias amarillistas),
but a frank account of what is taking place on the ground. Steve's
view of responsible tourism is what we need to see Mexico with
new eyes.
- Marlene Ehrenberg, Colibri
Winner 2002

ABOUT WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

The United Nations General Assembly established the first World
Environment Day in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm
Conference on the Human Environment.

"Stockholm was without doubt the landmark event in the
growth of international environmentalism," writes John
McCormick in Reclaiming
Paradise. "It was the first occasion on which the political,
social and economic problems of the global environment were
discussed at an intergovernmental forum with a view to actually
taking corrective action."

REFERENCES

WORLD ENVIRONMENT
DAY

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